SLO County Roundup

Fire investigators are looking into a Thursday blaze that burned some electronic waste behind the Central Coast Exploration Station in Grover Beach.

The fire started at 10:54 a.m. at 867 Ramona Ave., fire officials said, and was knocked down by 11:12 a.m.

Investigators on Thursday started sifting through debris looking for a cause, but it appeared to have started where a pile of computers and televisions had been stored outside the building, waiting to be picked up to be recycled, officials said.

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Love said the fire caused some minor damage, including water damage, to a bathroom at the rear of the Exploration Station. It’s unknown how soon it will reopen.

— Cynthia LambertTempleton

A Templeton man was found dead in his pool on Wednesday afternoon, the county Sheriff’s Department announced Thursday.

Derek Brook, 67, was found floating face down in the pool at his home by a friend who then summoned for help, according to authorities.

Deputies and paramedics attempted CPR, but Brook was declared dead shortly after arriving at Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton.

There are no signs that the death is suspicious, deputies said. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

— Tonya Strickland

Grover Beach

A preliminary hearing scheduled in the criminal case against former Arroyo Grande City Councilman Ed Arnold this week was postponed until Tuesday.

Arnold, 45, has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to his alleged attack of a woman who had been living with him and his wife at their home, including assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence.

He also pleaded not guilty April 14 to two additional felony charges of possessing child pornography and using a minor for pornographic images.

Arnold is expected to waive his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday, which would mean his case would proceed to trial, according to prosecutors.